US Navy Veteran To Challenge Missouri’s Marijuana Law

Ken Unger is a 100% disabled U.S. Navy veteran deemed unemployable by the St. Louis VA. He was hit in the head with a 50-ton crane hook while serving in Grenada in 1983.

He now suffers from two herniated discs in his back, muscle spasms, weakness, pain and numbness in the legs. He has six coronary stents holding the arteries in his heart open and an artery bypass in his right leg.

His injuries have rendered him weak, and he now suffers from depression as well as diabetes.

Unger was prescribed morphine, which resulted in three heart attacks. He now uses marijuana, which has no detrimental side effect for him.

O’Fallon police obtained a warrant to search his home on the suspicion he was growing and selling marijuana – the distribution charge had no evidence other than Officer Justin Hill’s own speculation.

In application for the warrant he stated: “Furthermore your affiant knows that person who cultivate marijuana will distribute marijuana they produce for others for profit.”

Unger cultivated small amounts of marijuana to treat his service-related injuries and has never profited from his efforts.

Additional discrepancies appear in the police report.

The State of Missouri is barring Unger from citing his medical use in court, he is being charged with felony possession with intent to distribute and faces 5 – 15 years in state prison.

A 5-year probation plea was offered, the plea requires Unger to submit to drug testing, which would prevent him from using any medication to treat his chronic pain.

Unger plans to fight for his right to a medical defense in court. If won, this case will set precedent in Missouri.